DENR issues ECC for Tampakan project

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for the $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold project of Sagittarius Mining Inc. (SMI) in Southern Mindanao.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, however, said the grant of ECC to SMI was “subject to certain conditions,” and failure to comply may result in the cancellation of the ECC.

Paje said an ECC was issued to SMI upon the recommendation of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an agency attached to the DENR which reviewed the ECC application.

According to Paje, the ECC covers the project located in Tampakan, South Cotabato; Malungon, Sarangani; Columbio in Sultan Kudarat; and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur.

“The EMB has reviewed the requirements of the application for the project and has recommended the issuance of the ECC subject to the implementation of certain conditions presented in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in order to protect and mitigate possible adverse impacts of the project on the community health, welfare and the environment,” Paje pointed out.

The environment chief directed the EMB to strictly monitor SMI’s compliance with the conditions stipulated in the ECC to ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated in all phases and aspects of the Tampakan project.

“SMI should make public the feasibility of the project, ensure that the area does not cover those where mining is prohibited, and ensure social acceptability through consultation with stakeholders,” Paje said.

He also clarified that SMI could only proceed with the implementation of the project after submitting all other necessary government permits and clearances to the EMB, particularly those involving indigenous peoples, the agriculture and agrarian reform departments, and local government units.

Under the ECC, SMI is directed to conform to the provisions involving toxic and solid wastes of several laws on clean air and water and mining. SMI must observe appropriate practices on vegetative restoration, engineering structure, land use, and soil and water management, as well as ensuring proper stockpiling and disposal of generated waste materials and erosion control, the ECC stated.

The mining company is also instructed to protect headwaters, implement an efficient water management system to ensure sustainable use of water, and provide the community with alternative sources of potable water supply, if needed.

Citing provisions of the Philippine Mining Act, the DENR directed the SMI to set up a Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) and submit an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) that would integrate a final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan for when the project is terminated or completed. This includes the setting up of contingent and trust funds that would address future concerns for mine rehabilitation, wastes and tailings, and final decommissioning.

SMI was also told to establish a Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office (MEPEO) that would handle environment-related aspects of the project. The MEPEO is also to monitor the project’s actual impacts vis-à-vis predicted ones.

Additionally, the SMI shall also submit a Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) to the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and implement it in coordination with affected barangays.

Meanwhile, the regional offices of the EMB and MGB were directed to coordinate with SMI on conducting an information and education campaign on open-pit mining, which is the technology to be used for the project.

SMI is largely owned by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer. The 9,605-hectare Tampakan project is expected to produce an average annual yield of 375,000 metric tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold per year. #